In the pursuit of eternal bliss and happiness, there exists an age-old controversy regarding the means to achieve this elusive goal. Two contrasting viewpoints, materialism, and spiritualism, have emerged, each claiming superiority over the other. However, a closer examination reveals that both perspectives hold essential elements of truth and ignorance. Just as the body and soul share a harmonious relationship, spiritualism, and materialism are equally indispensable. This article explores the interplay between these two concepts, highlighting the necessity of their coordination to attain the ultimate aim of human existence.
Materialism and Spiritualism
Each and every living being in this universe naturally desires eternal everlasting happiness or bliss because of being a part of the ever-blissful Supreme Lord Shri Krishna, who is the embodiment of truth, consciousness, and happiness.
How can this eternal bliss be attained? The practice to attain this bliss is the subject of unending controversy. However, these controversial claims can be classified irrefutably into two categories: materialism and spiritualism. The individual who considers himself to be a soul is a spiritualist, and the one who considers himself to be a body is a materialist. Though both brand the other meaningless and false, the truth is that both are ignorant. Just as the body and soul have a harmonious eternal relationship, spiritualism, and materialism are equally inevitable. How is this so?
We refer to ourselves as both the body and the soul. When we are alive, this combination of body and soul is given a name and we address ourselves as ‘I’ or ‘we’. For example, “I am going. I am eating,” etc. When the soul leaves the body, you people often say that so-and-so has left this world, even though his body remains lying before you. What does this mean? It proves that there are two elements, one being the soul and the other the body. Therefore, the attainment of the aim of the soul (atma) is essential, and so no less is the attainment of the aim and object of the body. In both cases, the soul and the body should be given their respective subjects.
This body consists of panchamahabhuta, the five essential elements – earth, water, fire, air, and ether, and so its subjects are those same five elements. This means that form, taste, smell, and sound are all the subjects of our body or sense organs. Each subject or sense organ has its own vast world and there is no limit to their objects. The soul on the other hand is a part or fraction of the Supreme Soul, God and therefore the subject of the soul is Almighty God Himself. We cannot exchange the subjects of the body with the subjects of the soul or vice versa. Each one invariably has its own subjects and the coordination of both these elements is essential.
Spiritualism is rendered useless without the aid of materialism Because devotional practice is performed by the body alone. In This context, the body includes the mind and intellect. Our body and Mind are both made of Maya and are therefore material. Our Intellect is also material and made of Maya. Only the soul is Spiritual because of being a part of God. When we say “the body”. It really means a combination of the body, sense organs, mind, and intellect. We should look after this body too, keeping it in fine fettle. All the necessary vitamins, proteins, fats, and minerals like iron, etc. need to be given to the body in the required amount to save it from any deficiency and from developing associated diseases. When the body is unfit or in the grip of some ailment, no individual can meditate on God. Instead of meditating on God, he will be thinking of his pain or problem. A man writhing in pain cannot think of meditating on God.
People talk of great sages and seers who lived without food, some living only on water, some only on air, and some even lived without air! That is fine, but both these elements are material. Moreover, where did they live? If they say, On the earth of course! Again would like to ask them, Is the earth not material? If they further argue that, There have been some who stayed in the air! But then the air is also material. Leaving aside all these, the body you possess is material. Can you forgo all these things? You meditate on God only with the help of this material body. Even great sages and illumined souls lived on alms to sustain themselves.
Once, Gautam Buddha meditated for many days foregoing both food and water. The length of his fast made him weak and he was feeling giddy. In the meantime, some village women passed by humming a song as they went. The meaning of the song was that the string of the musical instrument, tanpura should neither be too loose or too tight in order to produce the proper sound. If it is too loose, it will not produce any sound and if tightened too much, the string may snap. The meaning of these simple words penetrated deeply into the mind of Gautam Buddha. He realized that these village folk were saying something very simple yet meaningful. Their song conveyed to him that he too was adopting a harmful action that was neither congenial to his health or his spiritual advancement.
According to physical science, the body should receive all its necessary requirements in the right proportion and at the right time. Food, water, and sunlight are all essential for a healthy body, but any excess or deficiency is also harmful to the body.
Those spiritualists who say that the world is false are therefore simply incorrect. Their talk is nothing more than nonsense. One cannot grow spiritually without the aid of this world. Spiritualism indispensably complements materialism.
Someone who habitually resides in an air-conditioned room will not be able to withstand the summer season; he will be prone to sunstroke. The voracious gourmand culinary habits of wealthy people render them sick and afflicted, suffering from a deluge of problems including to their vital organs that have since become dysfunctional. This is the ultimate result of man’s fondness for momentary pleasure. A few minutes of momentary pleasure from some delicacy takes the toll of many years of people’s lives. Proper and prudent use of these things is both necessary and salubrious, while imprudent and luxurious use is very detrimental to life. We should eat to live and not live to eat. When the body and mind are healthy, we can perform devotional practice properly Therefore, instead of condemning materialism, a spiritualist should adopt it.
Now let us discuss the other aspect. To follow materialism alone Will serve no purpose. You cannot achieve your desired goal with Materialism minus spiritualism. Materialistic people hold a false Notion in mind that amassing huge amounts of property and Wealth will give them pleasure and happiness. The examples of So-called advanced countries are before us proving this to be Untrue. ARE THE PEOPLE LIVING THERE HAPPY AND FREE FROM WORRY?
There is widespread degeneration of spiritual values in those countries. Life is not safe; people can only sleep after taking sleeping pills. The highest rates of suicide are found in these so- called advanced countries like America, and so on. Two out of every two hundred people commit suicide. The highest percentage of people living with a mental illness can also be found there. I Was told by a practicing doctor that fifty percent of American hospital beds were reserved for the mentally ill, while in Indian hospitals the number is only four percent. In poorer countries like India, people can be seen fast asleep on footpaths and under bus shelters. In contrast, the people of America are very skeptical about their personal security. In New York City alone 16 crore revolvers are in the possession of people. The crime rate is excessively high. One murder is committed every ten minutes and one theft or burglary every seven seconds. People install iron grills over their windows and barbed wire on the top of their fences for additional safety. The anti-social element within the community can be seen roaming the streets in gangs; so much so that people are reluctant to leave their houses after 7.00 pm. Seventy percent of America’s youth are addicted to some form of drug. The average length of an American marriage is four years; divorce and remarriage is commonplace. The very structure of social values has been demolished by the heightened state of materialism that exists.
The aim or mission of this human life should be to give peace and happiness to the self the soul or atma. The embodied soul has become Indra, the king of the celestial abodes innumerable times since eternity, and enjoyed all the associated opulence, Nevertheless, the soul can never receive happiness and bliss without giving spiritual subjects to it. In spite of all our physical wellness, our tension continues. Without spiritualism there will be no peace, desires will persist and result in anger, greed, unending sorrow, and suffering. Thus, spiritualism is most essential.
The magnitude of unrest prevalent in this present age is unprecedented, unassailable even by the Stone Age. Locks are the invention of this present age. Banks guarded by armed sentinels are still looted. Goods and items kept in heavily guarded stores are still stolen under the nose of security. There is a complete breakdown of our social fabric because there is no spiritual upliftment, and so people’s morals, ethics and values are at stake. You all are the witness of all these happenings going on around you.
Materialism is not only good, it is essential and compulsory for all. Sitting at any corner of the world we can see and hear what is happening in other distant countries, thanks to the advent of technology like television, the internet, mobile phones, etc. Those long distances that existed between countries that were a barrier in years gone by, have now lessened. But neglecting spiritualism has rendered this materialism beset with many demerits. For example, the most advanced countries have stockpiled a vast number of destructive weapons, enough to annihilate all life on Earth. If we truly possessed a simultaneous edification with spiritualism and materialism working alongside each other, then this would have given us the wisdom to use the benefits of materialism for the welfare of humanity, and not for its total destruction.
The advancement of spiritualism is directly related to the welfare of humanity. Similarly, a lack of spiritualism or its digression has polluted our hearts to such an extent that it’s effect is undoing the progress of materialism.
Even if we built a golden world and embedded it with gems and diamonds, and made it flourish with all good properties, it would not last long or progress very far in the hands of indiscreet materialists. The process of your progress and prosperity can take a long time, but its destruction takes no time at all. Within the blink of an eye it all can be razed to ground by destructive and lethal weapons, leaving no sign of life on Earth. So spiritualism is most essential and inevitable need of the hour to save humanity from its destruction at its own hands through the advance of science and technology.
In this way, there should be coordination between spiritualism and materialism. The world and God both are equally important. The soul and the body require their respective subjects. The spiritualist who does not accept the need of this world, and the materialist who does not give importance to spiritualism are both wrong. Their view is unilateral and therefore just a half-truth. Both spiritualism and materialism are important and essential to attain our ultimate aim.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj’s teachings provide profound insights into the intricate relationship between materialism and spiritualism. His wisdom highlights the indispensability of both perspectives in the pursuit of eternal bliss and fulfillment. By embracing materialism with prudence and recognizing its limitations, individuals can create a conducive environment for spiritual growth. Simultaneously, the practice of spiritualism, as guided by the enlightened teachings of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj, empowers individuals to transcend the material realm and experience the profound joy of divine connection.Through the coordination of materialism and spiritualism, humanity can strive for a harmonious existence, where the benefits of material progress are balanced by spiritual values and principles. Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj’s profound insights serve as a guiding light, leading seekers towards the ultimate aim of human life – the union of eternal bliss and fulfillment. As we delve into his teachings, we find a roadmap to navigate the complexities of the world while nourishing the soul’s eternal quest for divine love and happiness. If you want to explore more insightful content like this, we invite you to visit https://www.jkp.org.in for a wealth of knowledge and wisdom from Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj.
